Comments on: Q&A with Peter Singer in the Weekend Australian Magazine

By: Atheist Con: Sessions 3 & 4

Atheist Con: Sessions 3 & 4 — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:57:09 +0000

[...] without religion. It made sense, his arguments were clear, and you can read more about his thoughts here. One quote from [...]

By: Jemima Boucher

Jemima Boucher — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:39:24 +0000

Hi Peter, you said: "I have no problem finding meaning in what I do. What could be more fulfilling and meaningful than trying to reduce the amount of unnecessary suffering in the world"

I've probably overdosed on Michael Onfray, but I think "getting as much pleasure before I snuff it" is equally as meaningful. I worry that your settling on "reducing suffering" is because, as John Gray would say, you're still hopeless wedded to a Judeo-Christian ethic.

At the end of the day, if we make our own meaning, then all meanings are equally valid --- isn't this the very point of breaking the shackles of theism? Hedonism and philanthropy are mere choices: who is to say your's is better than mine. So I say: forget the suffering poor and live and party for today

By: Dave K.

Dave K. — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:33:09 +0000

Hi,
I think, that with our time and the greatest challenge of now is to combat severe global pollution, I wonder how we can bring religious people on board to understand that the priority is now, to change to a cleaner world, not to think that they will be going to a better place after death.
Some points I consider to ponder on......
A higher being or spirit will come and rescue us before destruction......this is what a majority of religious people believe......which causes complacency
That this planet is hell, so why should we try and save it. (I understand that there would be groups of people around the world, who are starving, abused, threatened, etc.....would think this in their way)

Religious organisations who have stated that they fervently oppose population/contraception policies, which only adds to the pollution, the stresses on the biosphere, and shocking health problems (hiv. aids, stds, etc) to 100's of millions of people

Capitalism and fundamentalism is a dangerous and unhealthy mix for the world......where they say, dont tell me what to do

Capitalism/religions first..............environment distant second

The power that religions have, especially because they have a tax free status......Australia, others? As the more money available to enable us to pay to change to cleaner ways...........as there is no way that we will not have money (communist ideal in a perfect world......not for a long time......)

I think that we have to consider bringing people on board together and show that we are becoming a modern society by acknowledging that we are altogether, working on the similarities between groups is what secularism/environmentalism is the way to go.

Good luck with the convention, wish I was there
D.K